• Premier League

Wenger: Arsenal had 'no choice' but to sell Van Persie

ESPN staff
August 16, 2012
Arsene Wenger is confident Arsenal can cope without Robin van Persie © Getty Images
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Arsene Wenger insists his hand was forced after Arsenal reached a deal to sell captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United.

Subject to a medical and agreeing personal terms, Van Persie, who is set to earn a reported £200,000-a-week at Old Trafford, could make his United debut against Everton on Monday after the clubs agreed a deal, thought to be worth in the region of £22 million.

Van Persie announced his intention to leave Arsenal last month after failing to thrash out a new deal with the Gunners, and Wenger admits he had no choice but to cash in on the striker - or run the risk of losing last season's player of the year on a free transfer next summer.

However, Wenger insists Arsenal are well equipped to deal with the Dutchman's departure, and he has already signed ready-made replacements in the shape of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

"It's sad to lose a player of his quality," Wenger told TF1. "He had a year left on his contract so we didn't have the choice."

When asked whether Wenger would use the transfer fee to replace the striker, Wenger replied: "We already recruited to replace him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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